3/28/2014

Martin
Schultz, the President of the European Parliament – answering our question at a
recent event - highlighted the fact that a parent’s strongest drive is to act
for her/his child. Herman Van Rompuy, the President of the European Council is
urging a ‘confidence pact’ in his introduction to the publication containing
the policy items of the four biggest political groups of the present European
Parliament. The Board of EPA wishes to take this opportunity to emphasise that
this is an instance for all parents in the EU to act for their children, namely
learn about the opinion of different political groups and go to vote at the
European Parliament Elections this May on the party that represents the
interest of you, your family and especially your children best. The only way to
be part of this confidence pact is to vote and to do it responsibly. EPA - as usual - has been undertaking the role to link parents to the different political groups and
represent the diverse interests of European parents.

3/22/2014

EPA was
present at the annual event organised by the EESC to give an opportunity to
citizens and civil society organisations to have their voices heard. The
context of this year’s conference was set by three main factors: the recommendations
of the European Year of Citizens, the forthcoming European Parliament
elections and the first experiences of the European Citizens’ Initiatives, the
new tool for citizens to directly influence European institutions. There has
been some tension between EU institutions and European NGO’s about real
representation of the voice of citizens. Before presenting our readers with the
press release published by the EESC let me take this opportunity to ask all our
readers who consider themselves European parents to feel free to join the
conversation here or ont he social networks to help EPA to influence EU policy
in a way you want us to do.

3/17/2014

Play makes a
huge, but often overlooked, contribution to family life and society. Playing
brings families together and is a perfect way for parents, grandparents and
other adults to spend quality time with children, and also to learn from each
other. Play is a basic need for children – just like eating, sleeping or
drinking. It allows children to develop skills for life and is the main way
children learn about themselves, others and their world. For example, a child
at play learns to balance, catch, climb, crawl, jump, walk, run and throw and
much more. He or she also learns how to solve problems and communicate and
cooperate with others. Playing is not only a birth right of every child,
enshrined by the United Nations (UN) in the Convention on the Rights of the
Child, but also an essential part of growing up.

3/14/2014

FUG
(Norway) had a meeting in the northern part of Norway in Kautokeino which is
one of the two largest villages of Sami people on 10-11th March.We met the Sami government and other Sami
institutions. FUG represents all parents in Norway and is interested in knowing
more about the special challenges faced my certain groups. We experienced that
the challenges in most Sami areas were the same as they are for any other Norwegian
parent. One of the special challenges is to have enough books and other means
of instruction in their own language. There are not enough qualified authors
and translators to meet the demands. There is now a special Sami University
College in Kautokeino to educate Sami teachers for school and kindergarten.
This will help to get enough qualified teachers for the Sami children.

3/07/2014

A new report by the European Union Agency for Fundamental Rights (FRA) presents results from the world’s biggest-ever survey on violence against women, revealing the extent of abuse suffered by women at home, work, in public and online. As well as demonstrating the wide prevalence of violence against adult women, the report also details incidents of physical and sexual violence experienced by women in childhood. The survey shows that policy makers need to recognise the extent of violence against women, and ensure that responses meet the needs and rights of all victims of violence against women in practice and not just on paper.

3/05/2014

Emily
O’Riley, the new European Ombudsman hosted an interactive event on 4th March
inviting citizens and European organisations to put items on the EU-wishlist,
issues to deal with during the campaign for EU elections and in the next
European Parliamentary period. She was joined by José Manuel Barroso, the
president of the European Commission and Martin Schultz, the president of the
European Parliament, candidate elect for EC presidency by the European
Socialists. Reacting to EPA contribution Mr. Schultz agreed on the importance
of calling out to parents with policy messages that supports the future of
children on family level to raise awareness.

European Parents' Association

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